Replace Your Tub With a Shower That Actually Works for Your Life
Banah Home Services removes outdated bathtubs and installs custom walk-in showers built for how Pierce County homeowners actually live — with full transparency, daily photo documentation, and no commission-driven upsells.
If you're not using your tub, you're losing square footage, water efficiency, and in many cases, safe access to your own bathroom. A tub-to-shower conversion is one of the highest-return bathroom upgrades a homeowner can make — and one of the most practical. We handle the full scope: demolition, waterproofing, tile or panel installation, fixtures, and finishing. One crew, one point of contact, no subcontractor handoffs.
Banah is a veteran-owned contractor serving Pierce County and the surrounding South Sound. We're also a DSHS-authorized provider, which means we can complete tub-to-shower conversions as part of a funded accessibility modification for qualifying homeowners — at no out-of-pocket cost to you.
What a Tub-to-Shower Conversion Actually Involves
A lot of homeowners picture a simple swap. In older Pierce County homes — many built before 1970 — the reality is usually more involved. Here's what we assess and address on every conversion project.
Step 1: Demolition and Subfloor Inspection
We remove the existing tub, surround, and any damaged or outdated backer material. In homes with older plumbing or a history of moisture, we inspect the subfloor before anything else goes in. If there's rot or water damage beneath the surface, we address it here — not after the new shower is already tiled.
Step 2: Waterproofing and Pan Installation
This is the step most rushed contractors skip or underbid. We apply a waterproof membrane to the walls and floor before any tile or panel work begins. A shower that leaks behind the wall is a mold and structural problem waiting to happen — especially in the Pacific Northwest, where moisture management isn't optional.
Step 3: Tile, Panel, or Prefab Surround Installation
We work with tile, solid-surface panels, and prefab acrylic surrounds depending on your budget, timeline, and design goals. We'll walk you through the tradeoffs — cost, maintenance, appearance, and longevity — so you choose what fits your situation, not what's easiest for us to install.
Step 4: Fixtures, Accessibility Features, and Finish Work
Showerheads, valves, grab bars, built-in seating, threshold type, and drain placement are all confirmed with you before installation. If accessibility is a priority — whether for aging-in-place, a disability, or post-surgery recovery — we incorporate those features into the design from the start, not as afterthoughts.
Who We Build Tub-to-Shower Conversions For
We work with a wide range of Pierce County homeowners, but a few situations come up again and again.
- Older adults or family caregivers looking to reduce fall risk and improve bathroom access
- Veterans and military families near JBLM transitioning to a home that fits their long-term needs
- Homeowners with unused tubs who want to reclaim square footage and modernize their bathroom
- Residents with a DSHS referral for a funded home modification
- Anyone dealing with an aging bathroom that's overdue for a real upgrade
DSHS-Funded Conversions: What Pierce County Homeowners Should Know
Banah is a DSHS-authorized environmental adaptation provider — one of very few contractors in Pierce County holding this designation. If you or a household member qualifies for DSHS home modification funding through a Medicaid waiver or similar program, a tub-to-shower conversion may be covered at no cost to you.
The process starts with a DSHS referral or case manager authorization. Once that's in place, we handle the assessment, scope documentation, and installation. You don't navigate the paperwork alone.
If you're unsure whether you qualify, we're happy to walk you through what we know and point you toward the right DSHS contacts. This program is underused in Pierce County — many families who qualify simply don't know it exists.
Veteran-Owned. Military Discount Available.
Banah Home Services is veteran-owned, and we offer a military discount on labor for active-duty service members, veterans, and their families. The discount applies to labor costs only, not materials.
Pierce County is home to one of the largest military communities in the country. JBLM and the surrounding cities of Lakewood, University Place, DuPont, and Puyallup house tens of thousands of service members, retirees, and military families. We know this community because we're part of it.
If you're a veteran or active-duty service member, mention it when you reach out. We'll make sure the discount is applied.
How We Keep You Informed From Day One
Every Banah project runs on CompanyCam. That means daily photo documentation of your conversion — from demolition through final walkthrough — uploaded and accessible to you in real time. You never have to wonder what happened in your bathroom today.
We don't use a sales commission model. The person who walks your project is the same person managing it. There's no incentive to upsell you on materials or scope you don't need. What we recommend is what the project actually requires.
Serving Pierce County and the South Sound
How long does a tub-to-shower conversion take?
Most straightforward conversions take 2–4 days. If we find subfloor damage, plumbing issues, or the scope expands to include tile work with longer cure times, the timeline extends accordingly. We give you a realistic schedule before work begins and update you daily through CompanyCam.Is a tub-to-shower conversion worth it if I plan to sell my home?
In most cases, yes — particularly if your home has a second tub. Buyers in Pierce County increasingly prioritize walk-in showers, and an updated, well-executed conversion adds more perceived value than a dated tub surround. If your home has only one bathroom, we'll have an honest conversation with you about the tradeoffs before you commit.Can you add grab bars and a bench for accessibility during the conversion?
Yes, and we recommend planning those features from the start rather than adding them later. Grab bars installed into properly blocked walls are significantly more secure than surface-mounted afterthoughts. If accessibility is a priority, tell us upfront and we'll design the shower around it.Do you handle the plumbing as part of the conversion?
We manage the full scope of the project, including plumbing work required for the conversion. We don't hand you off to a separate plumber mid-project. Everything is coordinated through Banah.What's the difference between a prefab shower kit and a custom tile shower?
Prefab acrylic or fiberglass units are faster to install and lower in upfront cost. Custom tile showers take longer and cost more, but offer more design flexibility and tend to hold up better over time when properly waterproofed. We'll walk you through both options based on your budget and how long you plan to stay in the home.Can I use DSHS funding for a tub-to-shower conversion if I have a disability?
Potentially, yes. If you have an active DSHS case or Medicaid waiver that covers home modifications, a tub-to-shower conversion may qualify. Banah is a DSHS-authorized provider in Pierce County, so we can work directly within that program. Contact us or your DSHS case manager to confirm eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tub-to-Shower Conversions
We complete tub-to-shower conversions throughout Pierce County, including Tacoma, Puyallup, Federal Way, Bonney Lake, Sumner, Lake Tapps, South Hill, University Place, and surrounding communities. If you're in the South Sound and not sure whether we serve your area, reach out — we'll let you know quickly.
Ready to replace a tub you haven't used in years with a shower that fits your life? We serve homeowners across Pierce County with straightforward estimates, daily project photos, and work backed by a veteran-owned team that shows up and follows through.
